Who are the #MusicMovesMe bloggers? We are bloggers who blog about music each Monday. Every other week we have a theme, and on alternate weeks, we can blog about any music we wish. First, there is XmasDolly, Her co-conductors are: ♥Callie of JAmerican Spice♥, and ♥Stacy of Stacy Uncorked♥ Also, co-conducting is ♥Cathy from Curious as a Cathy♥ . And finally, there's me.
<!-- end LinkyTools script —> Our honorary co-host for November is Stacy of Stacy Uncorked. Today, we have a "freebie" week but next week Stacy will be back with another weekly theme.
Yesterday was the centennial of the end of World War I. Throughout the world yesterday was Armistice Day - in the United States it's now called Veterans Day. In honor of my late father and father in law, my husband, a couple of Aunts(one was a WAC and one a WAVE), various cousins on both sides of our family and others, I offer these songs reflecting war and the home front.
From our Civil War (1863) as performed by Mitch Miller's chorus: When Johnny Comes Marching Home Again .
World War I - Keep The Home Fires Burning
World War II. This was a tough one for me, as I was born only seven years after the end of the war and my childhood was full of watching World War II movies on TV, and knowing adults who were both veterans and adult casualties (Holocaust survivors). Do I pick a song sung by soldiers? A song about the folks at home? "As Time Goes By" from perhaps the best movie ever made, Casablanca? A satirical song by Spike Jones and his City Slickers? Something by the Andrew Sisters?
I'm choosing two. First, Vera Lynn's The White Cliffs of Dover from 1942.
The other, the hit song "In the Mood" by Glenn Miller, by a man who became, himself, a war casualty on December 15, 1944, over the English Channel. The plane has never been recovered and the crash remains a mystery to this day.
I didn't find much for the Korean War, so I turned to the TV show M*A*S*H and its opening theme, Suicide is Painless.
I will end with Vietnam, the war I came of age during. Both the boys growing up next door to me in my early childhood fought in Vietnam (both survived) and someone I worked with for about ten years. When I think of that war, I think of the years of anti-war protests. But what I did was reach for a list of songs veterans of the war remembered the most - and from that, I chose "Fortunate Son" by Credence Clearwater Revival.
I see we have time for one more.
Here is a Billy Joel song I featured on my blog several months ago - Goodnight Saigon. This is a tribute version and the video has disturbing images (some iconic) of that war. I love the lyrics of this song and how they seem to circle back on themselves - but not quite. Listening to this song still takes my breath away.
Join the #MusicMovesMe bloggers next Monday for songs of Thankfulness.
Alana,
ReplyDeleteMy late FIL and Grandfather served in WWII. My oldest BIL served in Vietnam state side and I have three uncles who saw combat in Vietnam. Then I have oodles of cousins who served or serving our country. While war stops some things it certainly doesn't end matters. Sooner or later some evil person rises to power bent on distruction. The thirst for power will never cease in this life time. Your song selections are so purrfect. Thank you for displaying your gratitude for past & present veterans. They deserve much in return for their scarfices. May God bless each and everyone!
First song that popped into my head was Vera Lynn's 'We'll Meet Again'. Recorded in 1939, it was hugely popular during WWII.
ReplyDeleteAs always great choices.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful songs. We both picked the same one by Billy Joel.
ReplyDeleteGreat choices. (I had a few more for WWI, which was truly the awakening for America- to begin to take its place in the greater world. The bookend to the current situation, where we are retreating from the world, doubling up on ourselves.
ReplyDeleteoH WOW I just love the tunes you have gathered together for today! In the Mood was a song I learned to play on the piano so many many years ago for it was my Mom's favorite tune! Thanks for stopping by and joining us today with all your fab rockin' tunes! HUGS
ReplyDeleteSo poignant all your selections today!
ReplyDeleteGod bless her, Vera Lynn is still alive. She's 101 and became the first person over 90 to release an album that charted (in 2020).
ReplyDeleteThat's the Nicholas Brothers in the Glenn Miller video, isn't it? Tremendous dancers, and real athletes.
Excellent choices. My hubby loves CCR. He almost went to Vietnam, his number was called, but Thankfully the war ended. I know he would not be the same man he is now if he had gone there.
ReplyDeleteThe Andrews Sisters was a perfect choice, my favorite is MASH. Love how you've honored veterans through songs.
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